Acts 13:13-26 – OT to JC in 8 Steps

Diving Deeper Lesson Outline for Acts 13:13-25This is lesson 1 of 3 on Paul’s sermon in Acts 13.Part 1 is the “Jesus Was” of Paul’s sermon.Part 2 will cover the “Jesus Is.”Part 3 will cover the “Jesus Can Be.”Title derived from Paul’s overview of OT history which culminates with Jesus Christ in Acts 3:23.

Acts 13:13 and following is Paul’s first recorded and longest sermon.There are at least 6 recorded for us.It behooves us to pay attention to what the greatest evangelist of all time preaches.It contains obvious parallels to Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7.“Both sermons emphasize God’s raising up leaders for Israel, but with a major (though complementary) difference: Stephen pointed to Israel’s rejection of its God-sent leaders, while Paul stressed God’s grace in providing the leaders.” – ESV Study Bible

1) PREACHING THE WORD – GOD IN ISRAEL’S HISTORYPoint 1 is a drawn from the actions ascribed to God, by Paul, in Acts 13:17-22.

The Actions and the Scripture background:CHOSE OUR FATHERS in Acts 13:17Genesis 12:1, Genesis 17:7 and in Psalm 135:4MADE PEOPLE GREAT in Acts 13:17Exodus 1:7 and Psalm 105:24LED OUT OF EGYPT in Acts 13:17Deuteronomy 4:20, Nehemiah 9:9-12 and Psalm 78:12-13, Micah 7:15PUT UP WITH in Acts 13:18Exodus 16:2-3, Deuteronomy 9:7, Nehemiah 9:16-21, Acts 7:39-43 and Hebrews 3:7-10GAVE THEM LAND in Acts 13:19Deuteronomy 7:1 and Psalm 78:55GAVE THEM JUDGES in Acts 13:20Judges 2:16-20GAVE THEM A KING in Acts 13:211 Samuel 10:1 and Hosea 13:11RAISED UP DAVID in Acts 13:221 Samuel 13:14, 2 Samuel 5:3-5 and Psalm 78:70-72

In examples above, the sovereignty of God is evident in all of Israel’s history.God was their cause and source.They were done His way, at His timing, for His glory.And Paul’s carefully chosen OT references were more than just a primer on OT history.Paul was painting a road sign that read, “This Way to Jesus.”

2) PREACHING THE WORD – JESUS WAS PART OF THAT HISTORYPoint 2 is drawn from a comparison of the work of God in Israel’s in Acts 13:17-22 and the work of Jesus (also see Jude 1:5 in ESV for NT take on Jesus in OT).

Jesus is part of this history, literally, as a promised offspring (Acts 13:23) of King David:See Jeremiah 23:5 about the “righteous Branch” of King David.See 2 Samuel 7:12-17 about the “promised offspring” of King David.John the Baptist understood that Jesus was Messiah (John 1:19-23)The Gospel of John 7:42 asks what Paul was essentially asking – “Has not Scripture said…”Jesus, as evident by his relationship to David, is part of the unbroken will of God for Israel since choosing Abram.

Jesus is part of this history as God’s will for Israel expressed solteriologically:God Choosesperson (Abraham) to begin a nation // person (Jesus) to save a nationGod Makesthe Hebrews prosper & multiply // leading, ultimately, to the birth of Jesus (Gal 3:8).God Leadsthe Hebrews out of Egypt and redeems them // Jesus to the Cross to redeem usGod Put Up Withdisobedience and was “ready to forgive” (Neh 9:17) // disobedience and, in Jesus, He forgivesGod Givespromised land through the shedding of blood // promised salvation through shedding of Jesus’ bloodGod GivesJudges & Kings authority to rule and protect // Jesus authority to conquer sin and saveGod Raised UpDavid as King // Jesus from the grave to be our unfailing King!

Not only is Jesus historically the Messiah but he is effectually the Messiah – Jesus Saves.Paul tells us in Acts13:26 that JESUS IS the salvation message of Israel’s history!

APPLICATIONThe OT relationship to JC makes sense to discuss with Jews/God Fearers who were familiar with that history.But does OT have any place in a modern day Gospel message?In Acts 17:22-31, Paul takes a different approach – meets them where they are.But He still preaches a God of history.Do you see the OT has relevant to your spiritual maturation?Is there a Gospel message without the OT?